Prison programme celebrates 20 years

Guests are welcomed by powhiri into Te Whare Tirohanga Maori, the Maori Focus Unit at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison, Mangaroa, Hastings, for the 20th anniversary celebration. PHOTO / Duncan Brown

Politicians and Department of Corrections staff yesterday celebrated two decades of Hawke's Bay Regional Prison's pioneering approach to rehabilitation.

Yesterday marked the 20 year anniversary of Maori Focus Units at prison and Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis said that was a major milestone in the use of kaupapa Maori values to help reduce re-offending.

Since the first Maori Focus Unit opened at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison, four more units have been opened at Rimutaka, Waikeria, Whanganui and Tongariro prisons.

The units, and the kaupapa Māori rehabilitation programme delivered within them, are collectively known as Te Tirohanga.

"The first unit marked the start of a truly kaupapa Maori approach to rehabilitating prisoners," Mr Davis said.

"Over 9300 men have been through Te Tirohanga in the past 20 years, which is a massive achievement for those men, as well as the staff, whanau, kaumatua and iwi involved.

"Introducing something like this would have been a hard sell 20 years ago, and I know people like Sir Pita Sharples spent many years advocating for kaupapa Māori at prisons. Today's milestone is certainly something to celebrate."

Te Tirohanga provides a culturally supportive environment with interdisciplinary teams and a whanau centric approach to help prisoners address their offending.

The programme includes a range of tikanga-based courses and activities and regular involvement of local iwi groups.

"Te Tirohanga helps prisoners learn better attitudes and behaviours, strengthens their cultural identity, and motivates them to take up further treatment, education or training opportunities while in prison," Mr Davis said.

"It gives them skills to help stay on track once they're back in the community, which is good for them and their whanau and critical to keeping our communities safe."